NAICS 111310 Quarterly Industry Report
Orange Groves
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 111310Sector: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry profile for Orange Groves (NAICS 111310) draws on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service[3], the U.S. Census Bureau[4], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5], and the SBA Office of Size Standards[6]. All statistics reflect the most recently published government data at the time of writing. This report serves as a starting reference for business appraisers, M&A advisors, and lenders evaluating orange grove operations under NAICS 111310.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the orange groves industry.
NAICS Sector
11
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Industry Definition & Overview
Orange Groves (NAICS 111310) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in growing oranges. The U.S. Census Bureau[2] classifies this industry within the fruit and tree nut farming subsector, covering navel, Valencia, blood, and other orange varieties produced for fresh consumption and juice processing [1]. Florida historically dominated national orange production, but citrus greening disease caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus has devastated the state's groves over the past two decades, driving production to record lows [2]. California now accounts for roughly 79 percent of total U.S. citrus production, with the San Joaquin Valley serving as the primary growing region for navel and Valencia oranges destined for fresh market sales [3].
U.S. citrus use production for the 2023-2024 season totaled 5.24 million tons, up 6 percent from the prior season, though Florida's share continues to shrink per USDA NASS[3] data [4]. Florida orange production stood at 18.0 million boxes for 2023-2024, a 14 percent increase from the previous season but still far below historical levels that once exceeded 200 million boxes [5]. Texas and Arizona contribute smaller volumes, primarily for juice processing. Revenue depends on fresh-market packinghouse returns, juice processor contract prices, crop insurance indemnities, and grove rehabilitation costs associated with managing citrus greening [6]. Orange groves are perennial operations requiring years of tree establishment before commercial bearing, which fundamentally shapes both capital requirements and valuation methodology for buyers and sellers [7].
What's Included in This Industry
- Navel orange grove operations
- Valencia orange production for juice processing
- Blood orange and specialty orange cultivation
- Fresh market orange packing and handling
- Orange grove establishment and young tree development
- Citrus greening disease management programs
- Irrigated orange production in California and Florida
- Contract orange production for juice processors
- Organic orange farming operations
- Orange grove rehabilitation and replanting programs
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 11 |
| Subsector | Crop Production | 111 |
| Industry Group | Fruit and Tree Nut Farming | 1113 |
| NAICS Industry | Orange Groves | 11131 |
| National Industry | Orange Groves | 111310 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 111320 | Citrus (except Orange) Groves | Citrus groves other than orange share identical growing regions, pest management challenges, and packinghouse infrastructure with orange grove operations |
| 311411 | Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing | Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing processes orange juice concentrate that represents the largest volume end use for Florida orange production |
| 424480 | Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers | Fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers distribute fresh oranges from packinghouses to retail grocery chains and food service distributors nationwide |
| 115112 | Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating | Soil preparation services provide grove site preparation, fumigation, and irrigation installation for new orange plantings and replanting programs |
| 115114 | Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) | Postharvest crop activities include washing, waxing, grading, sizing, and packing oranges for fresh market distribution through commercial packinghouses |
| 311421 | Fruit and Vegetable Canning | Fruit and vegetable canning establishments produce shelf-stable orange juice and mandarin orange segments for retail and food service channels |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 111310?
NAICS 111310 covers establishments primarily engaged in growing oranges, including navel, Valencia, blood, and specialty orange varieties. This encompasses grove operators producing for fresh market sales, juice processor contracts, and organic certification programs in Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona [1].
What is the SBA size standard for Orange Groves?
An orange grove operation qualifies as small under SBA guidelines if its average annual receipts do not exceed $3.5 million, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. This revenue-based threshold applies to all establishments classified under NAICS 111310 [8].
How has citrus greening affected the orange industry?
Citrus greening disease, also called Huanglongbing, has caused Florida orange production to decline from over 200 million boxes annually to roughly 18 million boxes in the 2023-2024 season. The bacterial disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid reduces fruit quality, drops yields, and eventually kills infected trees. Grove values in affected regions have declined sharply, while management costs for nutritional therapy and psyllid control programs have increased substantially per USDA NASS[3] citrus production data [2].
How is an orange grove typically valued for sale?
Orange grove valuations combine asset-based and income-based approaches. Land values reflect location, water rights, soil suitability, and disease pressure in the growing region. Tree age, variety, density, and health status drive the productive capacity component, with mature bearing groves commanding premiums over young or replanted acreage. Income capitalization uses stabilized net grove income after deducting management fees, harvesting costs, and disease treatment expenses from projected fruit revenue. Florida groves face additional discount factors for citrus greening exposure documented in state university extension budgets [7].
What are the major cost drivers for orange grove operations?
Harvesting labor represents the largest single expense, as mechanical harvesting has limited adoption for fresh-market oranges. Irrigation water, fertilizer programs calibrated to tree age and variety, and pest management for citrus greening, citrus canker, and other diseases add substantial recurring costs. Grove rehabilitation expenses for removing dead trees and replanting with disease-tolerant rootstock have become a major capital requirement in Florida per USDA ERS[10] citrus cost estimates [6].
How does California compare to Florida for orange production?
California now accounts for roughly 79 percent of total U.S. citrus production, having surpassed Florida as the dominant producing state as greening disease decimated Florida groves. California oranges primarily serve the fresh market, with navel varieties commanding premium prices, while Florida production historically focused on juice processing. The San Joaquin Valley in California benefits from an arid climate that reduces disease pressure compared to Florida's humid conditions per USDA NASS[3] citrus summary data [3].
What role does juice processing play in orange farming?
Juice processing absorbs the majority of Florida's orange crop, with processors contracting volumes before the harvest season and paying prices based on pounds-solids content rather than per-box pricing. California oranges primarily flow to fresh market channels where returns per box are typically higher. Juice processor consolidation has reduced the number of buying points, concentrating market power among a few large companies. Global orange juice prices influence domestic processor willingness to contract, and Brazilian production levels set the baseline for world market pricing that affects U.S. grower returns [5].
What trends are shaping the orange grove industry?
Research into citrus greening-tolerant rootstock and tree genetics offers long-term hope for Florida grove rehabilitation. California production expansion in the San Joaquin Valley is constrained by water allocation restrictions tied to drought and environmental flow requirements. Consumer demand for fresh-squeezed and not-from-concentrate juice products is supporting premium pricing for Florida oranges that meet quality standards. Organic citrus acreage continues to grow in response to retail price premiums tracked by the USDA Economic Research Service[10] [4].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [3]USDA NASS nass.usda.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]SBA Office of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]SBA sba.gov
- [8]USDA Risk Management Agency rma.usda.gov
- [9]504/CDC loans sba.gov
- [10]USDA ERS ers.usda.gov
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